Method of preventing siftings from the ram casing of alpha stoker



Aug. 12, 1930. M ERN 1,773,023

-METHOD OF PREVENTING SIFTINGS FROM THE RAM CASING OF A STOKER Filed July 1 1, .1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M ffmxwjgl/q wmga M. ALPERN 1,773,023

METHOD OF PREVENTING SIFTINGS FROM THE RAM CASING OF A STOKER 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 Filed July 11, 192.5

Patented Aug. 12, 1930' nNrrao sTA'rs a are r FFICE MAXWELL ALPEBN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'IO AMERICAN ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA METHOD OF PREVENTING SIFTINGS FROIJI THE RAM CASING A STOKER Application filed July 11, 1925.

My invention relates to stoker mechanisms, having particular relation to ram cylinders. One object of my invention is to provide means for preventing the sifting of fine coal from the ram cylinder of a stoker. Such desired result represents a problem that has engaged the attention of engineers for a number of years but so far there has been no practical solution.

In accordance with my invention, suitable packing is positioned in a groove which may be formed in either the ram or the ram cylinder, said packing serving to accumulate a suiiicient quantity of the siftings to fill such clearance space as obtains between the feeding ram and the ram cylinder. The packing may also be positioned by means of a stufing box. The seal thus formed prevents the further escape of coal from the stoker hopper and it has been found to improve with service.

l/Vith these and other objects and applications in mind, my invention further consists in the details of construction and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of one form of embodiment of my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification.

Referring to Fig. 1, a ram cylinder 1 has an inner end 2 thereof disposed in contiguous relation to a furnace opening 3. An upper side 4 of the ram cylinder 1 is provided with an opening 5 for a stoker hopper 6. A feeding ram 7 of usual design extends into an outer end 8 of the ram cylinder 1, so that coal may be fed from the stoker hopper 6 through the furnace opening 3 when the ram 7 is reciprocated.

In accordance with my invention, coal may be prevented from sifting between the ram cylinder 1 and the feeding ram 7 by means of a seal 9 formed in the outer end 8 of the 4 ram cylinder 1. The seal 9 may comprise packing 11 which is mounted in an annular groove 12 in the wall of the cylinder 1 and retained in position by means of a ring 13. Under certain conditions of operation, it may be desirable to retain the packing 11 by means Serial No. 43,034.

of a stufling box lt comprising a gland 15 which is adapted to removably fit a boring 16 formed in the outer end 8 of the ram cylinder 1, as shown in Fig. 2. The packing 11 is positioned intermediate an inner end 17 of the boring 16 and the gland 15 whereby the packing 11 may be forced against the ram 7. Since the seal is formed in the outer end of the ram cylinder 1, it is readily accessible for purposes of removal and replacement, repair and the like without the necessity for disturbing the ram 7.

The packing 11 may comprise felt or asbestos backed by lead. In any event, the packing 11 should be of such materialas will cause an accumulation of the siftings working between the ram 7 and the ram cylinder 1 in sufficient quantity to fill such clearance space as obtains therebetween. The siftings thus retained materially assist the packing in its sealing effect and prevent the further passage of siftings from the outer end 8 of the ram cylinder 1.

The accumulation of the siftings by the packing 11 may be facilitated by inclining inwardly the inner end 17 of the boring 16 and by providing an adjacent portion of the packing 11 with a complementary end wall 18 which terminates in an edge portion 19. Since the inclined edge portion 19 of the packing 11 is directly in the path of the siftings, a wedge is formed thereby materially aiding the packing 11 in the prevention of the escape of the sittings. The seal 9 is similarly provided'with an inclined, packing edge portion 21, as shown in Fig. 1.

lWhile I have shown only two forms of embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon, as are indicated in the appended claims or as are demanded by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination, a ram. cylinder provided with a recess, and packing in said recess adapted to cause an accumulation therein of the sittings moving through said cylinder, said packing having a beveled inner edge.

2. In a stoker, the combination with relatively movable parts having contacting surfaces constituting a joint, of a recess in one of said surfaces, and packing in said recess adapted to cause an accumulation of sittings from the stoker entering the joint and to seal the joint against escape of said sittings, said cpaek nglmit ngr a be eled n r dg a d:

ing said accumulation.

MAXWELL ALPERN. 

